Throwing Oneself on the Ground
It is Friday, April 3, Day 13 for us at the House of Prayer. Today is so much like the day(s) before, yet singularly unique. Each day. No matter how much one moment is so similar to the moments before, no other moment is the present moment here and now, inviting us to “Be here now, be someplace else later. Is that so complicated?” (words from Zen Judaism). By the way, short answer is: Yes.
One line in the daily Scriptures particularly struck me lately, from a passage in Genesis 17. God is announcing a new relationship, and calls Abram to be a partner (along with a name change). In response to the new plan for the radically new covenant, what does Abram (age 99!) do? “Then Abram falls on his face.” He is prostrate on the ground. This is prescient of Jesus in Gethsemane, where both Mark and Matthew record: “He threw himself on the ground.”
Being flat on the ground takes me back to Saturday, October 17, 1971. That day I was face down, flat on the ground, or in this case, the floor of the gymnasium of my former high school, St Thomas College, North Battleford. The occasion was ordination to presbyteral priesthood. Moments before the laying on of hands by the bishop and attending priests, the Litany of the Saints was sung by all present while I was prostrate, on the floor. To this day I distinctly recall the awareness within me during that time, with my Mom and Dad, Grandma Zimmer, eight sisters and brothers, many relatives, neighbors from home, friends, fellow Oblates all calling upon the Saints - for me. What I sensed so strongly during that time, as the singing went on, was that I was being ordained by the people, for the people, in the name of the people. It was a new covenant. When Bishop Laurent Morin placed his hands on my hand a few minutes after the Litany, perhaps that gesture was not so much the moment of ordination, but a confirmation of what the people had already done.
That intense awareness on a beautiful autumn day in 1971 is not liturgically, theologically and sacramentally correct; I know that. I also know and will never forget my deep personal conviction at that time nearly 50 years ago. It has never left me. A new covenant.
It is especially when the two of us gather for an hour of Eucharist each day that I sometimes remember and relive that intense experience. Once again – I, we, countless others elsewhere at the same time – we individually and together fall on our faces, throw ourselves on the ground for the sake of the suffering and dying of so very many around the world. In doing so we become one with those most in need. An authentic solidarity. A new covenant.
Yesterday – confirmed global COVID-19 cases passed one million, more than eleven thousand in Canada. We call upon the saints – those in eternity, those still among us, such as medical and essential services persons, as well as the non-humans (18 deer were out to greet us yesterday).
Saints of God, pray for us. Ora Pro Nobis.
Glenn
One line in the daily Scriptures particularly struck me lately, from a passage in Genesis 17. God is announcing a new relationship, and calls Abram to be a partner (along with a name change). In response to the new plan for the radically new covenant, what does Abram (age 99!) do? “Then Abram falls on his face.” He is prostrate on the ground. This is prescient of Jesus in Gethsemane, where both Mark and Matthew record: “He threw himself on the ground.”
Being flat on the ground takes me back to Saturday, October 17, 1971. That day I was face down, flat on the ground, or in this case, the floor of the gymnasium of my former high school, St Thomas College, North Battleford. The occasion was ordination to presbyteral priesthood. Moments before the laying on of hands by the bishop and attending priests, the Litany of the Saints was sung by all present while I was prostrate, on the floor. To this day I distinctly recall the awareness within me during that time, with my Mom and Dad, Grandma Zimmer, eight sisters and brothers, many relatives, neighbors from home, friends, fellow Oblates all calling upon the Saints - for me. What I sensed so strongly during that time, as the singing went on, was that I was being ordained by the people, for the people, in the name of the people. It was a new covenant. When Bishop Laurent Morin placed his hands on my hand a few minutes after the Litany, perhaps that gesture was not so much the moment of ordination, but a confirmation of what the people had already done.
That intense awareness on a beautiful autumn day in 1971 is not liturgically, theologically and sacramentally correct; I know that. I also know and will never forget my deep personal conviction at that time nearly 50 years ago. It has never left me. A new covenant.
It is especially when the two of us gather for an hour of Eucharist each day that I sometimes remember and relive that intense experience. Once again – I, we, countless others elsewhere at the same time – we individually and together fall on our faces, throw ourselves on the ground for the sake of the suffering and dying of so very many around the world. In doing so we become one with those most in need. An authentic solidarity. A new covenant.
Yesterday – confirmed global COVID-19 cases passed one million, more than eleven thousand in Canada. We call upon the saints – those in eternity, those still among us, such as medical and essential services persons, as well as the non-humans (18 deer were out to greet us yesterday).
Saints of God, pray for us. Ora Pro Nobis.
Glenn
Deeply inspiring Glenn. On the daily youtube mass this morning, I missed that particular phrase...and it is such an important one, when it comes to covenant - even for me a lay person. Continually growing in my faith I realized recently that covenant love is sacrificial love - "In a world of imperfection, divine love is proved by sacrifice." (Thomas Keating)
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for this, Amma - so very appreciated. There is so much more to ponder and share than implications for ordained ministers in our various churches. I so appreciate your insight. Blessings.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much Glenn for sharing this. As I read it I was taken back to 1964 and my final vow ceremony which took place in the chapel of the Motherhouse of the School Sisters of Notre Dame in Waterdown, Ontario.
ReplyDeleteThere were 12 of us young women, and there were two parts of the ceremony which came immediately to mind today. We all prostrated on the ground and a burial pall was placed over us. Some of the parents were very upset by this, but for me as I lay under the darkness of the pall, it was a strong realization of what I had just vowed - a realization that words alone could not have conveyed at such a deep level. And after the pall had been removed, I knelt before the Mother Superior who put a crucifix into my hands and said, "Your intention on entering this community should be none other than to always practice self-denial, to take up the cross of Jesus Christ, and to follow him." A lot for a 20 year-old to take in.
For several weeks now, and for many more weeks and months to come, millions of people are being called to take up the cross of Jesus and to follow him. And for each, the cross will be different - the cross will be their path of suffering, especially meaningful in this time of Lent as we approach Good Friday.
Let us fall on our faces, literally each day, and pray for our world, for our leaders, for our front-line workers, for those not taking the virus seriously and thereby bringing harm to others .....
Lord, have mercy. Amen.
Really moved by your comment, Judith - such strong words for a powerful memory - and not a memory stuck in the past, but being lived out even more so many years later, so similar to my reliving "do this in memory of me" through the years. Thank you.
DeleteShalom, Saleem, Shanti, Peace.